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Trevor ‘TorcH‘ Housten has been taken up by a whirlwind in the past few days, and there has been some confusion about his status in Startale, and his status in VT Gaming. VT Gaming and TorcH decided to set the record straight about his recruitment and standing in his two current organizations and some of his future plans.
So what is your status in VT Gaming?
I am still a member of VT Gaming, but Startale is my team. I am able to fully support and play with VT while outside Korea, but will represent Startale and their sponsors at events all around the world.
Read the rest of Startale'VT|Torch's interview on vtgaming.net:
http://vtgaming.net/blog/news/an-update-on-vtsttorch/
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Nice TorcH!!
On a second note, doesn't your wallet hurt with all that flying?
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interesting. I really hope it works out. Even if hes not the strongest player in the foreign scene, I'm still very happy that he impressed a Korean team and is able to train with them. At the very least, we will have a stronger foreigner player to watch 
Congrats Torch, and Gluck!
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I think they've seen the success of the Liquid players/Grack in the GSL, and given that Torch is A-Class it gives them one more player in the running. Also, having access to new builds from a non-Korean player, even if just as a practice partner, is very helpful to a team.
GL TorcH, I hope you do well.
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e-sports couldn't ask for a better guy to promote the industry. It is an honor to work with him and we look forward to what is ahead.
VT Nation!
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United Kingdom16710 Posts
The biggest challenge i feel will be the language barrier. It can be so frustrating not to able to convey full meaning to the people around you. I hope he can adapt quickly and not let that block him reaching his potential. Anyways best of luck to you TorcH!
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hopefully he has some potential to become good at sc2
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I think he could be a very strong competitor in the next GSL with practice from Startale members. His unique playstyle is really fun to watch GL Torch!
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Does ST have a team house? So he'll be living there? I wonder how they'll be able to communicate with each other.
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hype
User was temp banned for this post.
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This is certainly a step in the right direction for the merge of korean/non-korean esports. If only the language barrier wasnt soo strong, I feel that the bridge could finally be gapped, and everyone could get to equal footing regarding training/playing.
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Good luck with everything torch! glad to hear you still want to come to MLGs!
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He took a big risk just travelling to korea like that without any major accomplishments in sc2. I'm glad it's paying off.
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You've got to give this guy a lot of credit for just going for it. Noone knew who he was until he had that cameo in an Artosis video, now he's really making the best of it.
Best of luck to him
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well I'm really glad he did take the time to explain how it all happened, cause I and many others were very confused about this situation.
GL Torch~
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5834 Posts
Torch seems extremely intelligent and outgoing, i feel he probably will be able to pick up the language at a decent rate. Good luck and congratulations!
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I don't understand why ST would want TorcH. There are so many foreigners who are more skilled who would be happy to join ST.
Good luck to TorcH i hope he does great but until then i'm just kind of left scratching my head at this one.
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Torch fighting!
Big ups dude wish you and Startale all the best
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Torch really seems like a great guy. Lot of charisma.
Hope we get to see him in that booth again soon.
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On November 22 2010 03:58 Reason.SC2 wrote:
I don't understand why ST would want TorcH. There are so many foreigners who are more skilled who would be happy to join ST.
Good luck to TorcH i hope he does great but until then i'm just kind of left scratching my head at this one.
TorcH has shown great motivation to be a part of SC2 in korea and obviously they see some potential in him. So he has the motivation and the potential. He might not be the most skilled now but that doesn't mean much. Added to the fact that he is a very friendly guy and great promotion.
Don't really see these more skilled foreigners putting in all the money and effort that he does to go to korea on his own and try.
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On November 22 2010 03:58 Reason.SC2 wrote:
I don't understand why ST would want TorcH. There are so many foreigners who are more skilled who would be happy to join ST.
But as mentioned earlier in this thread, not many foreigners who also have A class, and not already a part of a team in Korea.
This news is very exciting. If I'm not mistaken, he is the first foreigner to join a Korean SC2 team, no? Can only be a step in the right direction. Especially since the SC2 training environment isn't as bad as the KeSPA one. Making it more accessible to foreigners in general.
Really looking forward to see what is coming from Torch and ST in the future. Can only be good. Just hope they will overcome the whole language barrier without too much hassle.
ST also just got another fan in those matches where I just don't know who to root for! Foreign supporters fighting!
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On November 22 2010 03:58 Reason.SC2 wrote:
I don't understand why ST would want TorcH. There are so many foreigners who are more skilled who would be happy to join ST.
Good luck to TorcH i hope he does great but until then i'm just kind of left scratching my head at this one.
From TorcH's interview, it doesn't sound like they're actively recruiting foreigners. It seems like it just kind of happened by chance, and they probably gave him the same opportunity and trial they give Korean players. Plus, he will have a shot at getting Code A (depending on how GomTV determines the last few spots) and he's the only foreigner that's qualified for a GSL and whose team doesn't have a foothold in Korea like TL or EG (not including Artosis).
It's also a different scene, you don't see the Koreans flying all over the world to compete in tournaments (yet), whereas most foreigners want to compete in the big tournaments outside Korea (MLG, IEM, etc.). So, they might not be inclined to join a Korean team if it means not participating in those tournaments.
I think if he has a positive experience with ST, more teams might be interested in recruiting foreigners or participating in foreign tournaments. It could help bridge the gap between the two worlds. I think this is a great thing, and I hope it opens new opportunities for Koreans and foreigners to compete more and work together. Good luck TorcH!
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this is great news for torch and esports in general. It really is a shame about the language barrier, but hopefully english speaking team houses are on the way (EG are looking to setup one) and now the TL house has more english speaking players too.
There is literally no down side to it tho, korea is the place to be atm. Hopefully the foreigners can come back to the EU and US at some point with what they have learned and set up team houses outside of Korea.
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On November 22 2010 03:58 Reason.SC2 wrote:
I don't understand why ST would want TorcH. There are so many foreigners who are more skilled who would be happy to join ST.
Good luck to TorcH i hope he does great but until then i'm just kind of left scratching my head at this one.
he has great gamesense, awesome decision making and unique builds. the only thing wrong with him is his mechanics and that can be fixed by loads and loads of practice
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Somehow i'm afraid that the language barrier will cause alot of problems while being there.
Hopefully it can be sorted out somehow. Good luck torch, i'll be eager to hear more from you.
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On November 22 2010 04:57 KakashiX wrote:Show nested quote +On November 22 2010 03:58 Reason.SC2 wrote:
I don't understand why ST would want TorcH. There are so many foreigners who are more skilled who would be happy to join ST.
Good luck to TorcH i hope he does great but until then i'm just kind of left scratching my head at this one. he has great gamesense, awesome decision making and unique builds. the only thing wrong with him is his mechanics and that can be fixed by loads and loads of practice
Yeah, exactly.
Tbh, I can see Torch becoming quite a beast on the NA scene in a couple of months if he can manage to fit in and get the most out of this opportunity.
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On November 22 2010 03:58 Reason.SC2 wrote:
I don't understand why ST would want TorcH. There are so many foreigners who are more skilled who would be happy to join ST.
Good luck to TorcH i hope he does great but until then i'm just kind of left scratching my head at this one.
How many times has this been asked; a brief summary.
1) He's one of the only foreigners that has A rank+ and doesn't have a team.
2) He boasts an incredibly creative and unique play style, and game sense.
3) Mechanics and even micro can be taught to some degree, 2) on the other hand cannot. People see potential in him, I for one am curious to see how much he will improve with Rainbow as his mentor.
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Germany1287 Posts
I still can not really believe this is happening, that's how cool this thing is. Congrats to Torch all over and over again!
ITR speaks quite a bit english, so Torch will be able to pick up the most important Korean words for in-house conversation and living very quickly.
I can only imagine what is going to happen in 2011 with SC2 globally ... MLG boosting SC2 next year, I can really see some korean players coming over to an MLG event next year. Attention for SC2 and prize money will rise. Torch is such a fighter for the e-sport, and now that he has the direct connection, I totally think he will be able to convice some players to come over. Once that step is taken, EU events like Dreamhack will be the next. Think big! Go Torch!
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Wow torch has a life time opportunity. I hope he practices and becomes a machine
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not only is it a surprise that torch is on a korean pg team, but sticking with vt at the same time. oh well, i look forward to seeing another foreigner in a korean team =]
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Really cool of ST to give TorcH that tryout. It sounds like it all worked out. The more foreigners in Korea the better!
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I'm sorry for being so rude but why did they take Torch into their team? I mean I know Torch is good, but there are a lot of other better foreign players who would gladly accept.
The position he is just sounds amazingly good :o Good luck to him
Edit:
Appereantly I missed the answer to this. His A-class status. Still weird but oh well
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On November 22 2010 05:45 Piski wrote:
I'm sorry for being so rude but why did they take Torch into their team? I mean I know Torch is good, but there are a lot of other better foreign players who would gladly accept.
The position he is just sounds amazingly good :o Good luck to him
Edit:
Appereantly I missed the answer to this. His A-class status. Still weird but oh well
Read the article?
Actually has answers in there. They took him after making him play some games against their top players and liked what they saw?
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TorcH is a really imaginative player and I always enjoy watching him play - he describes himself as a "build order player" as opposed to macro or micro, which is very interesting to me. He's also one of the most passionate pros I've met when it comes to bringing eSports to the US, so he's definitely one of my favorite SC2 gamers overall.
He also tends to be on the modest side, so while he makes it sound like things happened a little randomly, I think it's important to note that luck is opportunity + being prepared. He was definitely prepared.
TorcH fighting!!
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Torch is probably one of the best representatives for western gaming. While he may not be the best, he is very good and is very passionate about the game and willing to do what is takes to get better. I can't think of a better candidate for the face of western gaming on in Startale.
That said, I would love blizzard to get more involved in building esports in North America and Europe.
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Simply awesome. Work hard, Torch! Expecting great things from you
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Australia8532 Posts
On November 22 2010 04:46 Zavi_ wrote:Show nested quote +On November 22 2010 03:58 Reason.SC2 wrote:
I don't understand why ST would want TorcH. There are so many foreigners who are more skilled who would be happy to join ST.
But as mentioned earlier in this thread, not many foreigners who also have A class, and not already a part of a team in Korea. This news is very exciting. If I'm not mistaken, he is the first foreigner to join a Korean SC2 team, no? Can only be a step in the right direction. Especially since the SC2 training environment isn't as bad as the KeSPA one. Making it more accessible to foreigners in general. Really looking forward to see what is coming from Torch and ST in the future. Can only be good. Just hope they will overcome the whole language barrier without too much hassle. ST also just got another fan in those matches where I just don't know who to root for! Foreign supporters fighting!
Depends if you count IdrA playing for CJ Entus .. not SC2 but still; foreigner on Korean team..
GL Torch!!!!
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torch is still terrible.
User was warned for this post
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TorcH is a great ambassador for Esports. It really is his top priority to advance Esports, and him playing with Startale just gives him an amazing chance to do it!
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Looking Forward to following how TorcH's play evolves during 2011
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I am so sad to see the comments bashing Torch. What is the point? I just hafta chalk it up to jealousy or general ignorance. = /
As an ex-FPS scene player and fan I can tell you that guys like torch are exactly what is needed to continue the momentum that is building. Having a good player who can do a decent interview and doesn't act BM is one of several components to building up the overall eSports product. Also Im not saying Torch is the only one that can do this -- he just happens to be in Korea, very well spoken and plays this game at a very high level. We should support guys like this! And while I mean no disrespect to other great players like Jinro, Idra, TLO, Huk, etc -- they just aren't always the most compelling or well versed of speakers IMO (and before you bring the ESL hate, I totally get that much can be lost in translation when you don't have English as your native tongue).
Oh well.
My wife and I both love watching high-level SC while playing at a very low-level. We support all of the non-Korean players over in the GSL and beyond (and have become super torch fans since seeing him in GSL 1),
I guess all there is to say is...
TORCH FIGHTING!!!!
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Awesome news for TorcH and e-sports in general, best of luck in Korea TorcH.
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TorcH is returing to the states. I know he has several more interviews lined up. We will put some links up as we get them on here and VT's site. Going to try to poke around and see if we can get some more insider info for you guys. If there are any specific questions we can try to bring those up to him also. Obviously, this will all be up to the man himself
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I heard Awesome was on VT now... I saw *her* play neans last night! kekeke
I see everyone's pics and bios on VT's site except her, should work on that! ^^
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can't wait to see torch with the ST jacket, its so neat.
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I think this is super awesome. ^__^ Hopefully he'll do well.
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Russian Federation124 Posts
On November 22 2010 03:58 Reason.SC2 wrote:
I don't understand why ST would want TorcH. There are so many foreigners who are more skilled who would be happy to join ST.
Good luck to TorcH i hope he does great but until then i'm just kind of left scratching my head at this one.
Firebathero wasn't the best player out there, but he was still very popular
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TorcH might not be the best player but he's still very fun to watch and i am sure with him being in Startale he'll be a hell of a different player in the next few months.
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what an awesome guy. even though he wasn't that great to start out with his persiverance paid off. TORCH FIGHTING!
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torch's strats are awesome. I'm sure he's going to be helping out a lot of his teammates as much as they are going to be helping him.
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EPT
